Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management

Information for families, partners and carers

If you are caring for a family member, partner or friend with autism, they should be asked by a professional whether they would like you to be involved in their care. However, professionals should respect your family member, partner or friend's privacy if they would prefer to cope on their own.

If your family member, partner or friend agrees to you being involved, you may be asked to attend assessment meetings with them and help explain the results of the meeting to them. If your family member, partner or friend has a mental health problem, you may also be asked to be involved with any psychological treatment they are having. You should be offered training and support to do this.

If they do not agree to your involvement, you should be given details of who to contact if you are concerned about the person's care.

Whether or not you are involved in your family member, partner or friend's care, you should be offered information about autism and how you can support them.

You may also need help and support yourself. You should be offered support in your role as a carer, including respite care and a plan of what should happen if there is an emergency. Professionals should also help you to plan the care of your family member, partner or friend in the future. Professionals should offer you information, including contact details, about local family and carer support groups and other voluntary organisations, and help you to make contact with them. You should be told about your right to a formal carer's assessment of your own physical and mental health needs, and how to access this.